A whistleblower complaint alleges that the FBI opened preliminary investigations into anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters in Southern California at the direction of President Donald Trump and other officials. The investigations reportedly began in early 2025, coinciding with the Trump administration's immigration policies. Jill Fields, a former supervisory intelligence analyst at the FBI's Los Angeles field office, stated that the investigations violated legal and agency protocols. CNN reviewed the complaint, which was submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Fields' attorneys.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department stated that the agency is committed to upholding First Amendment rights while also investigating potential violations of federal law. The spokesperson emphasized that violence is not protected under the First Amendment and that politically motivated attacks will not hinder their work. The White House also responded, asserting that the investigations were focused on violent acts, which are not protected by the First Amendment. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated, "These allegations are FALSE. The First Amendment does not protect violent rioting, obstructing law enforcement, and assaulting law enforcement."
The whistleblower complaint details that the FBI initiated investigations after Trump expressed anger over a TikTok video showing protesters against ICE and Customs and Border Protection in Alhambra, California. The video depicted demonstrators using bullhorns to alert neighbors about the presence of immigration enforcement officers. Following a protest in February 2025, an analyst informed Fields that the FBI was ordered to conduct pre-assessment checks on the protesters in the video, despite FBI policy prohibiting investigations based solely on First Amendment-protected activities.
Fields' complaint also mentioned a separate incident where then-Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove requested an investigation into anti-ICE protesters outside a federal building in California. Fields argued that First Amendment protections should prevent such investigations unless there is evidence of actions beyond speech. After raising concerns with her superiors, Fields reported losing support from FBI leadership, which ultimately led to her resignation from the bureau.